Is HR monitor necessary and, if it is, what's a good one?

Watch is good enough for easy runs. Where it struggles is during intervals, where there are drastic fluctuations in pace/intensity. So if you're doing those, I definitely recommend a separate HR monitor.

I use the Coros arm monitor with a Garmin Forerunner. I just couldn't get used to the chest straps. Hope that helps.

The first person pronoun isn’t optional unlike an HRM.

I love the Polar H10. Very accurate and comfortable. Plus it syncs easily with just about any watch.

If you want dependable repeatable apples-to-apples data that you can use during a workout, a separate monitor is probably best.

I always track HR. I sometimes use HR as an in-run metric. I always look at HR after a race effort. So I'm a HR guy.

But I have 20+ years of data so I know what it all means. I know my max HR—not from a calculation or a one-time test—from bona fide all out race efforts. I know my LTHR based on countless threshold workouts in a variety of temperatures and conditions.

In my opinion, HR data can be valuable after you really have a lot of it. But so many factors can affect HR that it can make an anxious data slave really really stressed!

Polar H10 is a solid choice.

Agree. MoVB, makes posts hard to read e.g. on Norwegian thread. Suggest add articles and pronouns into typing. Wouldn't speak like this verbally out loud, or would? Clarity important.

Just to deal with the first part of your thread title, it is not necessary. That doesn't mean you shouldn't get one if you want one but it is definitely not necessary.

I have a Garmin 255 watch and a Garmin HR strap.

As long as I tighten the watch strap before the run I don't have any issues with HR consistency just using the watch. The HR strap is nice for indoor cycling rides where I don't like wearing a watch. During runs the strap feels tight, slides around, and I have to tape the band to keep tech shirts from creating static electricity and messing up the reading.

Takeaway- Just get a mid-level gps smartwatch.

Appreciate all the suggestions. I think I will opt for a separate monitor as watch has been fine for easy runs but have noticed sometimes it can jump. Ultimately I want to build good base of accurate data as trying more LT training this summer. Finding out have a lot to learn but between boards and Norwegian Singles Method strava group, think I can adapt to more HR based approach.

MoVB

Garmin Forerunner 235 by itself doesn't give the most accurate readings. Pair it with the chest strap (I recommend the HRM Pro Plus), and it's incredibly accurate unless it's almost time to replace the coin battery after a year or so.

are we serious? a HR watch to tell you how slow you're going? the idea isn't a HR number, it's an easy day. should know what an east day looks like, no? just. go. very. slow.

I have used the Polar H10 and it is accurate but I have had trouble with durability. On two occasions it didn't last a year. Optical heart rate from a watch is not accurate. I reluctantly went with the Coros optical arm band and have been pleasantly surprised in that as far as I can tell it is just as accurate as a chest strap.

Exactly. Slow and easy is a feeling, not a heart rate or even a specific pace.

Yeah, exactly.

"It's right there in front of your face," he said to the blind man.

Is it so implausible that someone wants to calibrate their perceived effort against an (albeit fraught with caveats) objective number.

Y'all make it sound like you popped out the womb calibrated for running.

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or stupidity? Could be either 🤔

I worked with many Russians, and the lack of articles and pronouns is very similar to how they typed. So maybe he's a native Russian, or something similar, speaker? Or maybe he's being lazy?

Just being lazy. Obviously don't speak like this but easy to type and post quickly at the office. Apologies for lack of clarity or caveman-like sound when reading this in your head.

As for using HR monitor for efforts, main reason is trying out Hobby jogger Norwegian method from long thread on the boards. People in Strava group and thread have been very helpful but I'm brand new to HR training and don't have any real reference except my watch. Watch HR has been telling me previous perceived easy efforts are way off my HR readings and still not sure if that's because I'm overestimating my efforts or if watch just isn't that good for HR data. Wanted some advice from people who know more than me, literally anyone, before dumping $100+ on a strap or something that could just tell me same thing as my watch.

MoVB